On April 9, St. Louis Magazine announced the winners of the 2026 Architect & Designer Awards at a sold-out ceremony at St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, presented by Design & Detail. Winners are featured in the April issue of St. Louis Magazine.
Keep up with the latest on the Architect & Designer Awards by subscribing to Veronica Theodoro’s weekly Design+Home newsletter. Don’t miss our special episode of the House of Lou podcast featuring Meagan Cooperman, whose work is featured on the April cover of SLM.
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Apartment Living (less than 2,000 square feet)
Emily Castle, Castle Design; James Howard, Alspaugh Kitchen and Bath
In downtown Clayton, this inviting 10th floor apartment is equal parts luxury and serenity. A study in maximizing a small space, every decision was made with intention. Separate sitting areas at opposite ends of the open living area are marked by built-in bookshelves and a sleek fireplace framed in custom millwork. A statement silk Fortuny chandelier creates a focal point in the dining room.
Children’s Room
Karen Korn Interiors
Shared by two brothers, this bedroom was thoughtfully designed to capture their youthful spirit while creating a look that would grow with them. Durable vinyl grasscloth wallcovering stands up to the rough-and-tumble lifestyle of young boys. Artwork depicting construction vehicles—their favorite toys—adds a personal touch. Vintage-style travel trunks at the foot of each bed provide additional storage for blankets, stuffed animals, and more. The boys are already making memories in their new shared room.
Commercial Hospitality Space
SPACE Design + Construction
A quick-turnaround renovation was a stylish refresh for a local family’s 2006 restaurant. It kept the same footprint and centered on new furniture, finishes, and lighting, including a tiered circular fixture installed in the dining room’s ceiling dome. Subtle warmth is conveyed with new wall sconces, a new oak wine wall, rich leathers, and a new wood floor. The contrasting bar area is dark and moody with black marble tile, marble-look Innovations wallcovering, and new caramel-colored furniture designed around the existing black granite bar top. A Nanawal system opens the bar to the three-season patio, making the space feel larger during nice weather.
Commercial Retail Space
SPACE Design + Construction
A local gym owner wanted to create an adjacent sister facility that would give clients a place solely to rest and recover through a variety of cutting-edge wellness treatments, including cryotherapy, cold plunge, infrared sauna, and massage. The plan included not only the new wellness center, but also a gym expansion, and a core, shared bathroom/locker room. The rich, sepia-toned palette creates a soothing atmosphere and luxury experience, with carefully planned areas that accommodate each piece of specialized equipment.
Commercial Space Other
Lawrence Group
Marking a new era for City Foundry STL, One Foundry Way is the first market-rate, high-rise apartment built in Midtown St. Louis in nearly 50 years. Creating a new gateway to the City Foundry complex, this mixed-use development includes eight levels of luxury apartments anchored by two outdoor-living decks, six floors of structured parking, and 12,500 square feet of street-level retail. Residents can enjoy the park-like Zen Deck that features a pool, dog run, gym, chef’s kitchen, and multiple flex spaces. Two offset glass masses house the apartment units, creating a playful relationship between the amenity decks and building structure, and offering 360 degree views of the surrounding metro St. Louis area.
Custom Furniture Design
Katherine Moore, Murphy & Moore Design
This built-in furniture hutch represents the best in architectural cabinetry; it transformed a breezeway, once meant for a wine room, into an innovative opportunity. The piece—its exterior, a high-gloss golden lacquer and its pale-yellow interior lined with walnut-stained shelving—radiates joyful energy. The arched divided-light doors with curved mullions recall Georgian transoms, while brass cremone bolts and ring pulls shine like jewelry. Built at counter height, the hutch doubles as a buffet or bar, while lower drawers below provide generous storage. Crafted for permanence, its paneling continues onto the flanking walls, and its crown and base moldings tie seamlessly into the home.
Dining Room
Ashley Obradovits, Wonderwhim Co.
Color and pattern take center stage in this whimsical yet upscale dining room: A classic floral wallpaper in a lively mix of coral, green, and soft blue sets the tone. A ceiling wrapped in rich coral grasscloth adds warmth and texture, drawing the eye up and balancing the bold walls. The custom rug, designed specifically for this space, pulls its palette from the wallpaper, while the furnishings blend traditional silhouettes with fresh fabrics. Green ikat patterned window treatments add another layer of texture and personality. Each thoughtfully chosen detail—from the artwork to the polished brass accents—creates a space that is joyfully unique.
Foyer
Nistenhaus Design
This foyer transformation honors the home’s timeless craftsmanship and infuses it with contemporary elegance. The carefully preserved, intricate wood paneling and coffered ceiling make a stunning backdrop for new statement pieces, all illuminated with updated wiring. A striking, modern chandelier bridges the past and present, while a custom leather double-sided settee offers sophisticated comfort and ample seating without compromising walkways. The ornate fireplace, with its exquisite woodwork, is the room’s focal point. Designers created a miniature frieze above the paneling, which was inspired by a painted relief that the homeowner photographed on a visit to the U.S. Capitol, adding a touch of historical significance and artistic language to the space.
Great Room
Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design; Matthew Boland, MMB Studio; Doug Cohen, Douglas Properties
This home was designed to suit the clients’ lives. The large great room serves as a hub for daily needs, its dining area, lounge, and kitchen all contained under one continuous ceiling. Furniture distinguishes the function of each space; curves in the dining and lounge areas balance the kitchen’s hard surfaces and straight lines. Slim black lights are pulled down from the tall ceilings as decorative focal points. Translucent windows on the east side dissolve into clean glass panels on the west, as variegated wood wall paneling bounces light and shadows. A half level down from the living space is a pickleball court. Another level down houses bedrooms, a gym, and a music room.
Historic Residential Renovation / Restoration Project
Rebekah Moore Murphy, Murphy & Moore Design; Christopher Welch, Welch Carpentry
This 1930 Georgian home was reimagined using the guiding principles of preservation, proportion, and quiet beauty. A graceful flow was created from a patchwork of previously disconnected spaces, respecting the home’s architectural heritage while adding contemporary livability. The story begins in the widened foyer, where original millwork and arched openings are complemented with new wainscoting, refinished oak floors, and a green grasscloth ceiling. In the stately dining room, dark-green paint paired with silky-blue drapery creates a color theme that moves elegantly through the main floor. The living room’s pale-blue ceiling recalls the sky outside the window, while the dainty powder room offers guests a surprising jewel box of pattern and charm.
Home Office / Library
Rachael Dolan, Dolan Co.
An unused front room in this house on a quiet street had become a catch-all. But with its great windows and access to surrounding rooms, it had the potential to become a home office. Its openings were reworked to create wall space for built-ins, and additional built-ins were mirrored to frame out the windows. Custom millwork allowed organizational space for office items, kids’ crafts, and book storage. Eye-catching abstract wallpaper makes a fun Zoom backdrop. Pink artwork—the homeowner’s request—and accents add a soft, feminine touch to this cheery work-from-home area, where function and style now meet.
House of the Year
Rebekah Moore Murphy, Murphy & Moore Design; Christopher Welch, Welch Carpentry
This 1930 Georgian home was reimagined using the guiding principles of preservation, proportion, and quiet beauty. A graceful flow was created from a patchwork of previously disconnected spaces, respecting the home’s architectural heritage while adding contemporary livability. The story begins in the widened foyer, where original millwork and arched openings are complemented with new wainscoting, refinished oak floors, and a green grasscloth ceiling. In the stately dining room, dark-green paint paired with silky-blue drapery creates a color theme that moves elegantly through the main floor. The living room’s pale-blue ceiling recalls the sky outside the window, while the dainty powder room offers guests a surprising jewel box of pattern and charm.
Lower Level
Brett Clark and Ellen Lancia, Design Collective STL
This lower level was transformed into a moody and elegant bourbon bar with a concealed speakeasy, giving a new spin on a bygone era. The room’s focal point is a custom curved bar clad in dark walnut with a patinated brass foot rail, paired with leather-wrapped bar stools, antique brass accents, and brushed metal hardware. A mosaic tile inlay on the floor follows the bar’s soft arc. Hiding behind a paneled door, the 1920s-inspired octagonal speakeasy features deep red tufted velvet banquettes, marble cocktail tables, and a statement feather-motif crystal chandelier. An adjoining lounge with leather and plaid upholstery, layered textiles, and paneled walls is a less formal space to unwind. Each distinctive area feels intimate, detailed, and timeless.
Millwork
Rebekah Moore Murphy, Katherine Moore, and Cynthia Moore, Murphy & Moore Design; Christopher Welch, Welch Carpentry
In the restructured galley kitchen, blue cabinetry with dentil molding pairs with historic light fixtures, and a classic marble floor. Every inch of the kitchen’s millwork was custom designed to honor the home’s architecture while creating modern-day functionality. Twin 30-inch Sub-Zero columns were integrated into bespoke cabinetry; they’re faced in arched antique mirror mullions that reference the home’s original transoms. A curved liquor bar with a brass gallery rail and turned legs is another nod to classic furniture, its tailored form echoed in the coffee station’s scalloped marble and reeded-glass cabinetry.
Modern Bath
Brett Clark and Ellen Lancia, Design Collective STL
Designed for a young couple who wanted a dramatic yet enduring space, this primary bath exudes modern elegance. Large-format porcelain slab flooring provides the foundation, allowing the Calacatta Luxe Neolith slabs to shine and informing the room’s palette of soft gold, gray, and charcoal hues. Rift-cut, custom-stained oak cabinetry and vinyl grasscloth wallcovering inject a touch of nature, while a sculptural two-tier chandelier draws the eye toward the vaulted ceiling. Behind the freestanding tub, symmetrical veining on the book-matched slab feature wall creates a natural art piece and focal point in this sophisticated sanctuary.
Modern Interior Design
Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design; Matthew Boland, MMB Studio; Doug Cohen, Douglas Properties
This home was designed to suit the clients’ lives. The large great room serves as a hub for daily needs, its dining area, lounge, and kitchen all contained under one continuous ceiling. Furniture distinguishes the function of each space; curves in the dining and lounge areas balance the kitchen’s hard surfaces and straight lines. Slim black lights are pulled down from the tall ceilings as decorative focal points. Translucent windows on the east side dissolve into clean glass panels on the west, as variegated wood wall paneling bounces light and shadows. A half level down from the living space is a pickleball court. Another level down houses bedrooms, a gym, and a music room.
Modern Kitchen (greater than 300 square feet)
Megan Temple, Megan Temple Design; Cheryl Volding, Beck/Allen Cabinetry
Designed for a large family with entertaining in mind, this renovation maximized the existing kitchen’s footprint in a fresh new space that seamlessly connects to the open-concept great room beyond. Marrying form and function with subtle glamour, this sleek kitchen redefines the modern family hub. A sculptural island anchors the kitchen in a mix of natural wood, rich soapstone, and warm brass. Above, a striking spider light fixture brings new energy to the traditional coffered ceiling. Two-tone cabinetry in crisp white and deep charcoal balances the stunning custom brass range hood, while open bistro shelving and alabaster sconces add warmth and texture in a harmonious mix of materials.
Modern Kitchen (less than 300 square feet)
Emily Castle, Castle Design; James Howard, Alspaugh Kitchen and Bath
This once dark kitchen has been transformed into a state-of-the-art cooking space that fuses contemporary finishes with timeless warmth. The sink wall, composed of a gold-toned Quartzite apron, adds drama. Two-toned cabinetry in white and walnut accented with mixed metal hardware brings out the stone’s beauty. Sculptural pendants and alabaster-trimmed surface lighting add elegance.
Outdoor Living Space
Dan Head, Luna Builds STL
Built for water polo matches at one end and tanning on the Baja ledge at the other, this stunning pool is situated next to a spacious custom pavilion trimmed in Douglas fir beams and anchored with brick columns and planter beds that match the house. A stone fireplace, outdoor TV, built-in sound system, and infrared ceiling heaters make the pavilion perfect for year-round entertaining.
Powder Room
Aisling Leonard, Ash Leonard Design
This powder room is a study in how to make a bold statement in a small space. The designer preserved the home’s existing green marble floor and countertop; from there, she reimagined the room as a rich, layered composition of color and texture. She started with a striking House of Hackney wallpaper reminiscent of a Moroccan rug. Hues of mauve, cream, and plum balance the marble’s deep green and enhance its natural elegance. The vanity was refinished in a high-gloss plum and accented with jewel-like crystal and lacquered brass hardware. A simple yet refined oversize gold-framed mirror and a playful gold Hinkley chandelier above lend dashes of glamour.
Primary Suite
Wendy Kuhn and Ashley Obradovits, Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath
This primary suite is more than a bedroom—it’s a serene, luxurious retreat that feels at once timeless and fresh, a perfect marriage of history and modern comfort. Its footprint was reimagined from a collection of smaller, compartmentalized rooms into a spacious, light-filled sanctuary. A sleeping porch, once closed and separated, was opened and outfitted with new windows and full-length patterned draperies, transforming it into an elegant sitting room perfect for sipping a morning coffee.
Specialty Room
Liz Basler, Castle Design; Caroline Kerckhoff, Stone Hall Cabinetry; Period Restoration
The butler’s pantry provides contrast with lacquered olive cabinetry, ornate gold hardware, and a uniquely refined beaded-edged pewter countertop and backsplash from François & Co. Designed for functionality and anchored in beauty, it houses the client’s small countertop appliances and keeps the kitchen uncluttered. Rich craftsmanship and sophisticated layers make this space a pleasure for entertaining and daily living.
Traditional Bath (greater than 150 square feet)
Christine Paul, Alspaugh Kitchen and Bath
Tailored and classic, this bath features custom moldings on the cabinet doors and walls, while tapered cabinetry feet recall fine furniture. A cool blue-gray on the cabinets, walls, and trim creates a serene, monochromatic look. Honed Bianca Carrara marble countertops are accented with a cutout backsplash that aligns with the wall paneling. The focal point is an organic freestanding tub framed in an angled bay and crowned with a bubbly ceiling fixture. The plumbing wall behind it houses the tub filler and a convenient ledge for bath accessories and towels. A clean white tile shower, private toilet room, and built-in linen cabinet complete this luxurious retreat.
Traditional Bath (less than 150 square feet)
Janelle Helms, Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath
Warm and sophisticated, this bathroom is framed in a jewel-toned, deep-green tile that wraps the lower walls and tub surround and is topped with a leafy botanical wallpaper that brings subtle movement and texture. A collection of pressed botanicals frame a sculptural freestanding soaking tub, evoking calm and reinforcing a connection to nature. The vanity combines warm wood cabinetry with a marble-look quartz countertop and tailored brass hardware and fixtures, design decisions that balance elegance and earthiness. Ribbed sconces and a softly framed mirror complete the quietly luxurious ambiance.
Traditional Interior Design
Julie Abner, Julie Abner Interiors
This project focused on redesigning a long-time client’s sunroom, great room, bar, and powder room, and sought to inject the previously neutral space with color and pattern. Expansive windows, an ornate stone fireplace, arched doorways, and rich wood millwork provided the backdrop for this sophisticated, transitional look. A bar area with striking patterned wallpaper, soft-blue cabinetry, and sweeping curved wood bar creates cohesion among the spaces as it connects the sunroom and the great room. A mix of curved and straight silhouettes in soft hues brings classic style to the great room, while the powder room conveys playfulness through bright floral wallpaper, a custom marble vanity, and gold accents.
Traditional Kitchen (greater than 300 square feet)
Liz Basler, Castle Design; Caroline Kerckhoff, Stone Hall Cabinetry; Period Restoration
The kitchen in this stately home was part of a full first-floor renovation, designed to be a light-filled space capable of entertaining the owners’ many family members and friends. The original kitchen was restructured into two areas: a smaller, more functional kitchen and a handsome barrel-vaulted butler’s pantry. (see Specialty Room above) For the countertops and backsplash, the designers used stone with warm undertones and paired them with a mix of warm white cabinetry and rich walnut wood, all accented with nickel and unlacquered brass hardware. A bold chandelier from Urban Electric adds a touch of elegance over the large island.
Traditional Kitchen (less than 300 square feet)
Wendy Kuhn, Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath
The kitchen in this historic home was reconfigured and renovated to honor its traditional style while adding modern function. The former butler’s pantry was removed to expose a window, balancing the sink wall and flooding the room with light. A recessed refrigerator niche was transformed into a walk-in pantry, while the refrigerator itself was strategically relocated to be a divider, creating an inviting entry nook. A custom plaster sculptural range hood is a focal point that complements the antique-white-painted cabinetry. Veined honed marble countertops and backsplashes are capped with a decorative marble ledge to display treasured items, and unlacquered brass fixtures and hardware add a warm patina to complete the look.
Transitional Bath
Wendy Kuhn, Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath
An arched opening frames the passage into the stunning bath, where the former bedroom was turned into a marble-clad haven, complete with a freestanding clawfoot tub and a custom, brass-enclosed steam shower. An added window washes the space in light, playing against the dramatically veined Arabescato marble and tailored walnut cabinetry. Floating marble sinks add contemporary flair, while the clawfoot tub, painted in a soft olive, brings traditional style to the center of the room.
Transitional Interior Design
Meagan Cooperman, Cooperman & Co. Interiors
Timeless craftsmanship meets modern form in this warm and inviting home. In the great room, Omexo rust-colored wall covering with a subtle metallic shimmer creates a dramatic backdrop for a pair of tailored Century sofas. A cozy bar decked in rich walnut cabinetry and accented with forged metal pulls, floating brass and glass shelves, and a book-matched Cipollino Ondulato marble backsplash invites guests to pull up a stool. In the primary bedroom, a green velvet headboard and chaise are paired with graphic drapery panels and layered with gold accents. Each space is designed to make everyday living more beautiful and intentional.
Hear our interview with Meagan Cooperman on the House of Lou podcast:
Transitional Kitchen
Beck/Allen Cabinetry
The homeowner’s vision guided designers and skilled craftsmen in this stunning kitchen renovation. Intended to be used by a passionate home cook, each carefully selected appliance combines utility and artistry, including professional-grade appliances from Hestan that deliver performance with a refined aesthetic, a custom-paneled Sub-Zero refrigerator with brushed brass handles sourced from the U.K., and a one-of-a-kind espresso machine—crafted in Italy, reimagined in Australia, and finished specifically for this space. Rich grain walnut cabinetry meets dramatically veined Stratus quartzite on the countertops and full-height backsplash. A slate-toned reeded center island anchors the space and provides a hub for cooking and entertaining. Every last detail reflects meticulous intention.
Use of Color
C&M Interiors
According to the designers, the client refers to the room’s shade of green as “glow from within.” It mirrors the client’s strong sense of style and fashion-forward aesthetic. A blend of classic materials and fabrics, combined with eye-catching art work and custom, high-end furniture, brings both interest and contrast to a room that’s at once stylish and cozy.
Use of Fabric or Wallcovering
Liz Basler, Castle Design
Brunschwig and Fils’ classic Les Touches pattern drenches this guest room with maximum visual impact. The designer seamlessly layered the patterns to flow among the wallpaper, upholstered bedframe, and euro sham pillows, contrasting them with crisp white bedding. Simple bedside tables from Woodbridge in a corresponding blue hue pair just right with the elegant basil-colored lamps from Chelsea House. This colorful statement room in an equally bright and cheery home creates a delightful retreat for welcoming visiting family and friends.
Window Treatment Design
Rebekah Moore Murphy, Murphy & Moore Design
Tailored-yet-whimsical scalloped valances top custom ivory cotton-blend panels trimmed in a berry-hued border in this sophisticated nursery. Architectural and romantic, the drapery nods to the elegance of traditional English interiors but has been reinterpreted for a young girl’s room. Each valance was meticulously aligned with the window’s architectural proportions, their curved silhouettes framing the light in a diffused glow. The ivory and berry colors, picked up in other layered textiles, work in harmony with the room’s overall palette of blush, mint, and berry.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees! See the work of all finalists here. Make sure to check out our tips for submitting projects to prepare for next year’s competition.
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